Chapter Fifty-Nine: Young Master Xiaoshan Breaks All Pretense, Tang Yi Stands Firm and Is Gravely Wounded

“Isn’t it a bit too hasty to conclude I’m Master Xiaoshan based solely on these things?” Master Xiaoshan arched his brow, his tone unfriendly as he looked at Song Mo.

“Indeed, just based on these, all I had was suspicion, not certainty. But very soon, something happened that made me sure of my guess.” Song Mo replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

“What was it?” Master Xiaoshan’s voice was low and grave.

“Reaction,” Song Mo answered directly, not wishing to be mysterious.

“So that’s it.” Master Xiaoshan was a shrewd man; with just a hint from Song Mo, he immediately realized where he had slipped.

Seeing the two exchange cryptic remarks, Xia Yu edged closer to Song Mo and whispered, “Brother Song, what’s really going on?”

Song Mo smiled and said, “It’s quite simple. Since ancient times, good and evil have never coexisted. The Crippled Taoist appearing openly at the Fox Immortal Cave is, in itself, unreasonable.”

“Maybe he’s just very skilled?” Xia Yu retorted, unconvinced.

Song Mo glanced at Master Xiaoshan, then continued, “Even if the Crippled Taoist possesses great cultivational power and sneaked into the Fox Immortal Cave unnoticed, did you see even the slightest panic on Zhao Yue’s or Steward Shu’s faces?”

Xia Yu nodded, half understanding, saying nothing further. After all, he wouldn’t dare to look at the expressions of the fox demon Zhao Yue or the rat demon Shu Mingli.

“Boy, I admit you’ve got some wit.” Master Xiaoshan, rarely, offered praise.

“It’s a small matter,” Song Mo replied modestly.

“However, there are some points where you’re mistaken.” Master Xiaoshan’s words froze Song Mo’s expression.

Others give a stick then a date, but Master Xiaoshan is adept at offering a date before swinging the stick.

“Is that so? Please enlighten me, Master Xiaoshan.” At this moment, Song Mo was worrying about how to buy more time, and Master Xiaoshan was offering it himself.

Master Xiaoshan lifted his gaze and spoke calmly, “On the day of the fox girl’s wedding, it was indeed me who disguised myself as the Crippled Taoist to stop it. But my intention was merely to let her see the true faces beneath the Zhang family’s hypocrisy—especially Zhang Xiaoguang!”

As he spoke, Master Xiaoshan glared coldly at Zhang Xiaoguang standing behind Zhao Yue, his voice deep, “Just as I anticipated, the fox girl gave her all to the Zhangs, even exhausting her cultivation to cure Zhang Xiaoguang’s lung disease. And what did she get in return?”

“Heh.”

Master Xiaoshan sneered twice, “Once the Zhangs learned she was a demon, they forgot all former bonds. Zhang Xiaoguang stood by as Zhang Changlin ordered her body burned, making no move to stop it—just like their ancestors, wolves with wild ambitions and no gratitude!”

His voice was not loud, yet it rang clear as thunder. Zhao Yue’s face turned pale, her body trembling, while Zhang Xiaoguang was flushed with shame.

“There isn’t a single decent soul in the Zhang family!” Shu Mingli echoed through gritted teeth, his ferocity barely contained as he had yet to fully assume human form. His fangs and savage appearance were terrifying.

“By the way, you said you saw the Crippled Taoist at the Zhang household today?” Master Xiaoshan’s handsome features twisted into a hint of ferocity, clearly his recent killings had left him unable to restrain his bloodthirsty demon nature.

“Yes,” Song Mo nodded, but almost instantly realized something and shouted, “Master Xiaoshan, what do you mean? Was the Crippled Taoist who appeared in the Zhang residence today someone else?”

“He’s come, after all! Hahaha! Heaven rewards the persistent—he’s come!” Master Xiaoshan’s laughter bordered on madness, as if he’d reached some threshold.

Song Mo retreated several steps in apprehension, while Tang Yi silently placed his hand on his willow-leaf blade.

“Do you know why I’ve willingly hidden myself in the Fox Immortal Temple of Sheepgut Mountain for a century? Or can you guess why I suddenly started killing?” Master Xiaoshan’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

But Song Mo could not bring himself to smile; he knew that was a dangerous signal.

Song Mo didn’t answer, but Master Xiaoshan continued on his own, “Over a hundred years ago, it was him—the damned Crippled Taoist—who tricked us siblings. He said that if we cultivated diligently on Sheepgut Mountain, he would find our father for us!”

“A hundred years! He never returned. Righteous path? Utter nonsense! All hypocrites, all deserve to die!” Master Xiaoshan’s sinister smile grew wider as he slowly turned to face Song Mo, Tang Yi, and the others. “You are no different.”

Song Mo’s heart tightened and he threatened, “Are you not afraid the Demon Suppression Bureau will slaughter everyone at Sheepgut Mountain?”

Master Xiaoshan ceased smiling and replied calmly, “If you all die, no one will know.”

His words chilled everyone to the bone, as if plunged into the depths of winter.

“I—” Song Mo began.

“Boy, do you think I can’t see through your little schemes?” Master Xiaoshan suddenly changed his tone, glaring coldly at Song Mo.

Song Mo was startled, feeling as though Master Xiaoshan could see straight through him.

“Hmph, trying to send someone to alert the authorities? You underestimate me.” With a cold snort, Master Xiaoshan swept his sleeve, and four silhouettes dropped suddenly in the corridor outside the garden.

Song Mo fixed his gaze and his heart sank to rock bottom.

To put it precisely, it was a chilling blow.

Because those four figures were none other than the four miscreants Song Mo had hoped would escape to Jian’an and bring reinforcements.

Now, all four lay on the ground, their fate uncertain.

“Brothers!” Xia Yu wailed, throwing himself forward to check on them. Then, with a silly grin, he realized they were merely unconscious.

Song Mo was caught between laughter and tears by Xia Yu’s genuine nature. This chubby brother truly couldn’t grasp the situation—even if they weren’t dead now, wouldn’t they end up traveling together to the underworld?

“Boy, I appreciate you. As long as you keep silent about today’s events after you leave, I’ll spare your life.” Master Xiaoshan turned his back and spoke in a low voice.

Song Mo’s face lit up. He grabbed Tang Yi and called to Xia Yu, “Don’t just stand there. Let’s go, or are you waiting for them to serve us a meal?”

“Sorry for disturbing you. We’ll be on our way,” Song Mo said, offering a sheepish smile to Master Xiaoshan.

Tang Yi did not move.

Nor did Xia Yu. Surprisingly, the chubby fellow had some loyalty, staying by the four unconscious men.

“Don’t be foolish. You’re no match for him. Better to live and fight another day,” Song Mo whispered in Tang Yi’s ear, but Tang Yi only tightened his grip on his blade.

“I never said they could leave,” Master Xiaoshan turned, his face dark.

“I won’t go unless you release the Zhang family. Your hatred should have ended more than a century ago, not carried on till today.” Tang Yi stood his ground, confronting Master Xiaoshan.

“Courting death!”

“Not good!”

A sharp pain stabbed at Song Mo’s heart, far more intense than before—his exquisite heart warning him of danger.

“Courting death!” Master Xiaoshan roared, his form blurring into a shadow.

The shadow swept forward; Tang Yi drew his willow-leaf blade.

The flash of the sword was white and swift as always, but the blade only grazed the edge of the shadow.

With a thud, Tang Yi was struck and sent flying, his body crashing down onto the stone pavilion like a falling kite.

“Pff!” Tang Yi struggled to rise, blood pouring from his mouth.

A single blow had severely wounded him!

Song Mo knew Master Xiaoshan was formidable, but he hadn’t expected him to be so overwhelmingly powerful.

“Die!” Master Xiaoshan growled, murderous intent locking onto Tang Yi before he could regain his footing.

Seeing Master Xiaoshan’s shadow about to strike Tang Yi again, Song Mo unleashed his Divine Movement Technique, forcing his speed to the limit.

At the critical moment, just before Master Xiaoshan’s fatal blow landed, Song Mo reached Tang Yi, grabbed him, and rolled them both across the ground, narrowly escaping death.

“Boy, do you really think I’m afraid of you?” Master Xiaoshan resumed his human form, standing aside and watching Song Mo coldly.

“Afraid? Master Xiaoshan afraid of me?” Song Mo’s mind raced.

Master Xiaoshan’s repeated concessions, even agreeing to let him leave.

Appreciate him? Such words wouldn’t fool a three-year-old, let alone a demon of his stature.

“Could there be something on me that Master Xiaoshan fears?” Song Mo suddenly considered another possibility.